I'm not a big fan of spike-less. I tried the M projects back in the day, but anytime you get moisture on the course, I'd have trouble when I swung hard. My back foot would slip. It's just a variable I don't like to deal with. I liked the spiked shoes, and replace the spikes often.

I have both and conditions usually dictate whether I go with the spikeless. If it's soft and/or wet, I always use the shoes with soft spikes. If it's very firm and dry, walking a lot, or traveling where multi-purpose shoes give me less to pack, i will take the spikeless.

I would game some metal spikes immediately if they were available and allowed.
Actually I believe they cause less damage to greens than the modern golf spike.
Since players are allowed to tap down spike marks now golf should welcome the metal spike again.


Cheers,
Dr. K

Probably never see the day, Dr. K. The wear and tear of the clubhouse floors and wooden areas on the courses will keep the courses from allowing them back. I do miss that cool clacking sound while walking down a cement cart paths. At least we have those memories.

I also have both , prefer the SL Pros as they are the comfiest

I love my footjoy dry joy tours,
I use the normal plastic studs in the summer months, but change to metal spikes in the winter months after slipping and falling from a frosty matt a couple of years ago.

I'm with Dale. I have both, and on a warm, dry day, the spikeless are a little lighter and easier on the feet walking. Put some moisture on the course, especially with some hills or mounding, and I'm back to the spikes.

I do wonder like Dr. Kovatchian says about the old metal spikes, now that you can repair the marks. I wonder what the course superintendents would say? GCSAA thoughts too? I do know that wooden stairs, bridges, artificial surfaces, last a LOT longer without having nails on the bottom of our shoes tearing them up. I don't think they'd like to go back

I have a pair of New Balance spikeless and a pair of adidas boost with spikes. I alternate depending on conditions.

Spiked when I'm playing, spikeless when I'm not.

Pro SL's are great and are super versatile for many different conditions

I'm going through this same predicament right now. I have always played spike shoes, but just recently started thinking about jumping on the spikeless train. My only fear is the loss grip during a full swing. I will say that I look forward to the day when FJ puts out a spikeless that doesn't look like my dads bbq/walking shoes...

I agree with Dale also. Depends on the weather and golf course terrain. Florida..... always spikeless

Deno

I feel spikes are best if track is damp.

Always had spiked, but this year I made the switch. The FJ Arc SL did really well on wet ground for being spikeless. I use the FJ Flex as my everyday sneakers, and for indoor golf simulators.

Ultimately, I'll get a pair of spikes again for extreme conditions. For now, loving my spikeless.

Frankly, in the UK you need both.
You might get away with spikeless on links courses all year but not on parkland. On parkland you need the additional traction of spikes when it's wet.
Similarly to Deno and other comments above re Florida, if you go to southern Europe, spikeless will be better and be kinder to your feet on the hard ground.
The comments re metal spikes takes me back - though I have seen some nasty spills when metal spikes met quarry tile floors!!
JT

I use both. I agree with Dale conditions dictate where I go spikes or spike less.

I only wear spiked, more out of habit and peace of mind.

I wear spikeless 95% of the time and spikes when the course is wet.

Tough question but these days I have switched to ‘spikeless’ (from the classic black/tan FJ’s). I started my spikeless journey with a pair of adidas that had about 100 mini modern day spikes on the bottom (I first saw them on tour as I think it was Justin Rose who used to sport them). I loved these shoes but they didnt fit my foot very well as I have a narrow foot. Then switched over to the new-ish swoosh style spikeless but those were more of a series of horizontal blades on the bottom and I hated the way they felt on the greens and my back foot was constantly slipping off the tee. I’m currently a huge fan of the puma ignite series as it fits my foot well, can easily walk 36 holes in them in a day, and they help me keep a good foundation when swinging (dry or wet).

I will have to say, I borrowed an old pair of my dads foot joy wing-tips from the 80’s with the original metal spikes for a throw back tournament (played some old Wilson blades and persimmon woods along with sporting the classic knickers and matching vest) and I was in love. I remember my first pair of golf shoes when I was 5-10 years old were metal spiked - I felt like a pro! They were the best b-day present I could have asked for that year. I will say though that unless you grew up playing the game in them and learning how to walk properly in them, you would do nothing but destroy the course/greens. Too many careless folks out there who (would) drag there feet without thinking.

I have always had spiked shoes. But this year I struggled changing out the spikes and have been thinking about spikeless. My only concern is how long the nubs last. At $100+ give or take, I would hate to have to replace the shoes each year after scraping them along the cart path or parking lot and wearing down the nubs. Anyone have experience as to the longevity of the soles? Fairways and greens.

Mark F.

Just like normal tennis shoes, the tops get pretty ratty before the bottoms wear out. I also don't wear them around a lot except when playing golf so they don't get a lot of wear from streets and pavement. I probably would wear the new FootJoy Flex more off the course as it has a nice tennis shoe look. Catch some previous year models on sale and try them. If you like them a lot you can make the transition into a more expensive pair. Another side benefit is the focus on staying centered. Sam Sneed used to practice barefooted for the same reason. If you don't rely on spikes to keep you stable you tend not to sway as much. Fred Couples is a great example. He's been wearing them for years to help his back and was always a long hitter, but very balanced swing.

Mark F - In my personal opinion, I think you’ll get the same if not more out of your spikeless shoes versus your spiked shoes if you wear them solely for golf. If anything you’ll probably want to replace the shoe for an updated style before the nubs wear off.

I wore FJ Classics until metal spikes were outlawed. Then on to Dry Joys, then Dry Joy Tour. Now Pro SL ever since they came out. But like Dale said, I miss the clacking of the metal spikes on the paths. Just another of the sights and sounds of the golf course from yesteryear.